Project Potential gears up for second amateur dance event

A fundraiser is under way that's styled after television's "Dancing with the Stars" that will feature 10 new couples competing for acclaim within the community.

BY DENEESHA EDWARDSThe Dispatch

A fundraiser is under way that's styled after television's "Dancing with the Stars" that will feature 10 new couples competing for acclaim within the community.A kickoff celebration took place recently for this year's participants of "Dancing with the Potential Stars" that will benefit Project Potential at Lexington Senior High School.The event was started last year with 18 individuals as amateur dance teams to involve the community in something unique. The event sold out, and more than $20,000 was raised."It exceeded our expectations," said Cathy Coles, executive director of Project Potential. "It's going to be a hard act to follow. Everybody has been talking about it ever since. We thought it would be important to do again. I'm not sure if we can outdo ourselves, but we can certainly try. I think it's going to be great."Voting for the dancers will begin Wednesday at www.projectpotential.net. The team that accumulates the most votes online will win the contest. One vote costs $10, and there is no limit to the number of times anyone can vote. The votes are tax-deductible. The dance event will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 27, 2013, at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center. Admission for the show is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 5 years old. Dr. Lee Jessup, president of the United Way of Davidson County, and Angie Ward, a DJ for WTQR, are the MCs for the event. The LSHS chorus will also perform.The online winners will be announced at that time. There will also be a "People's Choice" winner that consists of two individuals who receive the most votes the day of the event. Voting for that will be $5."I'm real excited about the dancers," Coles said. "It's going to be a good representative of our community. Everybody there will know at least one person."Chevon Burton, Project Potential site coordinator, is the only dancer returning this year. She will perform with Lexington City Board of Education member Ryan Harman."It was fun … dancing for a great cause like Project Potential," she said about last year's event. "I just knew it was going to be something great. I'm excited and ready to dance. I'm definitely telling people to watch out and be looking for us."A new dancer this year is Veronica Miller, administrative assistant with Wake Forest Baptist Health Pediatric Cardiology, who is paired with her husband, the Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II, pastor of First Baptist Church on Village Drive. She said they normally do fun things together and thought this event would be something new.Miller joked they have practiced for a few minutes, literally. They plan to dance to a 1970s theme. She said Project Potential representatives came up with a good idea when they created the event."Life is so serious. People need some way to laugh a little," she said. "Laughter is good for the soul. I'm looking forward to not falling and him not dropping me. I'm looking forward to having a good time. It's a wonderful cause."Tina Royal, an adult probation/parole officer for Davidson County, is dancing with Darrell McNeill, president of Facility Logistic Services."It's a very interesting project to put together," Royal said. "It's something I normally wouldn't do. For the kids — to raise money for our kids in Lexington — I'll do whatever. I'm still tickled about it."Matt Huntanar, academic advisor with Davidson County Community College, is paired with a coworker, Kim Sepich, vice president of student services and enrollment management. He thought DCCC President Dr. Mary Rittling dancing last year was exciting. Huntanar enjoys participating in something for a good cause.Huntanar and Sepich started taking swing lessons to prepare for their dance. Huntanar said he always wanted to learn how to do the swing. With the college gearing up for its 50th anniversary next year, Huntanar said their dance is a tribute to 1963."I'm really happy to lend a hand," he said. "We have a lot of work to do. We're very excited. The dancers need people to cheer for us but more importantly need people to sponsor."Hearing about Project Potential has been a learning experience for Huntanar, who said the program is exactly what young people need."It's great for young people to have role models," he said. "It's a great for young people to engage with mentors in the community. It's a great way to get kids involved in the community."Project Potential has been providing scholarships to students for the past 18 years. Students with potential for college, but who might not have the means or need an extra push, are selected in the eighth grade. The high school students partake in college visits, community service, SAT tutoring and academic/college counseling.LSHS junior Je'Rel Smith said the program helps motivates the students. His favorite things about the organization are being paired with a college coach and going to see the colleges. "It helps the students know there's people out there that want to help you … see you go to college. They know you have potential. It's very beneficial and helps you a lot," he said.Je'Rel along with senior Deja Spooney are the student representatives in the contest. They will be performing to "The Dance Revolution" that showcases all of the modern dance moves."I think it's going to be fun," he said. "I helped last year, and I saw how much fun it was. I hope it's better than last year. I'm looking forward to winning."Other couple dancers are the Rev. Dr. Lee Zehmer, pastor at First Presbyterian, and the Rev. Kelly Groce of First Methodist Church; Nicole Ducouer, morning news anchor with WXII, and Josh Sobecki, with Richard Childress Racing pit crew; Juan Montoya, owner of Don Juan's, and his wife, Haggi; Dan Briggs, co-owner of Davidson Funeral Home and Piedmont Funeral Home in Lexington, and his wife, Laurie; and Dr. Tiffeny Caroll with Wake Forest Baptist Health — Lexington Women's Services who does not have a partner yet.Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.